Cabinet carcasses are the foundation for any cabinet. You can create a variety of styles and sizes with a cabinet carcass, from a simple box to free-standing kitchen cabinets. Building a cabinet carcass is a relatively easy job that requires few tools and minimal materials. With some basic instructions, anyone can make a sturdy cabinet carcass in a few hours.
Gathering Materials
Before getting started, you’ll need to gather the materials you’ll need to build your cabinet carcass. You’ll need a sheet of ¾-inch plywood for the sides, top, and bottom of the cabinet, and a second sheet of ¾-inch plywood for the shelves. Make sure to choose plywood that is straight and free of blemishes. You’ll also need some 1×3 boards for the sides of the cabinet and some 2×2 boards for the corner posts. Additionally, you’ll need some 1-inch brads to attach the carcass together, along with glue and wood screws. You may also want to pick up some edge banding to give the carcass a finished look.
Cutting the Plywood
Once you have all the materials gathered, you’ll need to cut the plywood for the sides, shelves, and top of the cabinet. Start by measuring and marking the plywood for the sides. Cut the sides with a jigsaw and use a straight edge to ensure a straight cut. Next, measure and mark the plywood for the shelves and cut it with the jigsaw. Make sure to measure and mark the plywood for the top last, as it will be the largest piece and will determine the size of the cabinet. Once all the plywood pieces are cut, sand them with a belt sander to smooth the edges.
Building the Carcass
Now that all the pieces are cut and sanded, it’s time to assemble the cabinet carcass. Start by attaching the sides of the cabinet to the top and bottom pieces with 1-inch brads and glue. Make sure to use clamps to hold the pieces together while you attach them. Once the sides are attached, attach the shelves to the sides of the cabinet with 1-inch brads and glue. Make sure to measure and mark the location of the shelves before attaching them so they are evenly spaced.
Attaching the Corner Posts
Once the sides, shelves, and top are attached, it’s time to attach the corner posts. Measure and mark the location of the corner posts on the sides and top of the cabinet. Attach the corner posts to the side pieces with 1-inch brads and glue. Then attach the corner posts to the top with wood screws. Make sure to use a drill to pre-drill the holes for the screws to prevent splitting the wood.
Finishing Touches
Once the corner posts are attached, you can apply edge banding to the exposed edges of the cabinet carcass. Edge banding is a thin strip of wood or plastic that is glued and pressed onto the edges of the plywood to give it a finished look. Once the edge banding is applied, sand the entire carcass with a belt sander to remove any rough spots or blemishes.
Conclusion
Building a cabinet carcass is a relatively simple task that only requires basic tools and materials. With some careful measuring and cutting, anyone can make a sturdy cabinet carcass in a few hours. Follow these steps to build your own cabinet carcass and create a variety of cabinets for any room in your home.